Malekula Island Hiking & Tourism - VANUATU

Malekula Hiking Trail Project - VANUATU

Our goal is to create a Malekula Hiking Trail System to improve the island as a destination for Adventure Travel; in doing so we hope to increase environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and local economies.

Malekula Sunset

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Hello Friends of Port Sandwich, We’ve got a lot of activities coming up that maybe you’d like to promote to your clients. Here’s a look at what’s happening in Port Sandwich:

2nd Annual Port Sandwich Festival, 17-18 August 2011. On August 17th and 18th Lamap invites you to celebrate its history and culture at the Port Sandwich Yacht Club. Several of South East Malekula’s kastom dance groups along with a few local string band groups will come together to share with you the culture that makes Vanuatu great. The women’s club will show you how to cook and eat in the traditional way. And of course you’ll be able to relax with plenty of fresh kava, cold Tusker, and good company. 2000vt/day/guest (kids 1500vt, 5 and under free). If you come early there’ll be a snorkeling tour on the 16th (1500vt/guest). And if you’re staying late there’ll be a day hike to swim in the Limangao cascades on the 19th of August (1500vt/guest).Island Nights: One night of every month from June-October there’ll be a celebration of the island lifestyle. It starts with a traditional kastom display then an evening of fresh kava, Melanesian feast, a lively string band and a chance to get to know the friendly locals. 2000vt/per person (children 1500vt). Here are the dates: June 16th, July 21st, September 15th, October 13th.Private Island Night: If you won’t be able to join us on one of those dates, don’t worry. You can have your own private island night. A private island night includes fresh kava, Melanesian feast, a roasted pig and our local string band. 28,000vt for groups of 4-12. 38,000vt for groups of 14-25. Rock and Noela’s Rainbow Restaurant: Learn the true meaning of ‘storian’ with these Port Sandwich ambassadors. Open every day for lunch June-November. Dinner and breakfast is available by appointment. Just 2 minutes walk from the wharf. Follow the sign on the road to Rock’s front porch for some tasty Vanuatu food with a little Wallis and Futuna magic. Hiking, Snorkeling, and Kastom Dance.

The Lamap Ecotourism Committee has lots to offer. Some of our activities include a 1 day cascades hike, 2 day bush village hike, hike to South West Bay, snorkeling tour, rent snorkeling gear or even a private showing from one of the Kastom Dance groups. Give us a call, email, or check out our blog for more information.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

A special thanks to Luc Callebaut for making these videos available. Clips of Port Sandwich and Lamap start at 6:31 in the video, or simply enjoy all that North and Central Malekula has to offer! Also be sure to get your Lamap travel plans in order for the October Island Night on October 7th and 8th (see the post below for details).

Monday, September 27, 2010

~October 7th 2010 6pm-10pm 800vt includes Melanesian Feast and Live String Band (does not include fresh kava and cold Tusker)~October 8th 12pm-5pm 1000vt includes Melanesian Feast, Traditional Dance, and Live String Band (does not include kava)

Thank you to all those who helped and attended the September 16th Island Night. The locals were very happy to see 15 boats lined up at the Port Sandwich wharf. We hope to see as many yachts again this Thursday, October 7th. Safe Travels!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Join the Locals for a night of live string band, traditional foods, and new friendships

-September 16th-and October 7th-800vt (kava & tusker not included)

Hello Friends of the Lamap Tourism Committee,

I want to say thank you so much to those of you who attended or helped with the Port Sandwich Art & Culture Festival in August. The community was very happy with the outcome and are excited to do it again next year. The organisers gained a lot of good experience and are preparing to receive more training in Tourism and work on improving the "yacht club" facility over the next few months. As they've been saying here this festival broke down a wall (i.e. set a good precedent) and now the community can work together to develop their area through community run tourism activities. Thanks to your support Tourism in Lamap is off to a running start.

After building up such a nice facility down at the Port Sandwich Wharf, the Lamap Environment and Tourism Committee has decided to make use of it with monthly island night events. Every month during the yacht season, May-October, the Tourism Committee will be hosting an island night down by the wharf. These nights will feature live string band, a Melanesian feast, the freshest kava, and cold Tusker. The following day there will be a custom dance display offered in the same location for those interested in learning more about the vibrant culture of South Malekula. The first of these events will be taking place on September 16th followed by one on October 7th. So come join the locals for a night of live string band, traditional foods, and new friendships. Hope to see you in Lamap soon.

Friday, May 21, 2010

It will be a three and a half day festival from the 2nd of August to the 5th of August featuring custom dance from the two local custom dance groups, a circumcision ceremony, sand drawing, snorkeling, hiking, custom crafts, and local foods. Plus every night there will be a live string band, DJ, kava.

The price is 7000vt which includes all custom displays for three and a half days plus transportation to the custom displays. Tickets will be sold at the Vanuatu Cultural Centre in Vila, Wrecks to Rainforests in Santo, and at the Port Sandwich library/book exchange. The festival will be held down near the wharf to give easy access to visiting yachts.

There is limited accommodation: 12 beds at bungalows in the area for 1500vt a night and 5 tents for rent with sleeping bags at 1000vt per night. There is a direct flight from Vila to Lamap on Monday the 2th and from Lamap to Vila on Thursday the 5th. To arrange accommodation call Stephanie at 5618096. If you don't get through please leave a message.

Also all guests are welcome to come early for the July 30th celebration being held in Lamap on Friday. Also there will be a group hiking doing a 3 1/2 day hiking trip to South West Bay when the Port Sandwich Festival is over. Just in time to catch the Nalawan festival.

So tell everyone, South Malekula is the place to be this summer forthe most exciting custom displays and adventure tourism.

Festival Program Schedule

Monday 27:00 Plane lands in Lamap9:00 Opening ceremony “captain cook lands” at Port Sandwich11:30 Lunch at Port Sandwich1:30 Learn to make a fan from local materials, learn how to make a custom fire7:00 Live String Band at Port Sandwich

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The communities of South West Bay, Malekula would like to cordially invite you to the 3rd annual Nalawan Festival, taking place from August 9th to 12th, 2010.

Experience the ancient Nalawan festival celebrated through the ages by the fierce Small Nambas warrior tribe of Malekula’s South West Bay!

The Nalawan marks the start of a new season in the traditional calendar and includes grade-taking ceremonies, spectacular custom dances, pig killing, the ancient Noho ritual with offerings to the gods of the land, and much more!

Immerse yourself in the rich tradition and customs of Malekula’s South West Bay!

Get an authentic taste of Vanuatu life with an eye opening Village Tour; try your hand in traditional food preparation, partake in local craft, and witness ritual.

Snorkel the spectacular protected reef and witness the pristine sunset!

Joakim Batikakon

Joakim walked the entire 60 miles with this duck backpack. So it can't be that hard...Can it?

MALAMPA Tourism Office

If you are interested in visiting Malekula, or walking on one of the trails it is best to first get in contact with the MALAMPA Tourism Office. They can be reached at (678) 48491. Ask for Edna. She can help set you up with accommodation and transportation.

Vanuatu Videos by vanuatu4you

Posts

Legal Disclaimer

Warning: Traveling in the Malekula bush can be extremely dangerous and lead to serious injury or death. This website is only intended as an aid and cannot guarantee safety. While we walked the routes described, outside influences can change the trail at anytime, and no trail guide is completely accurate. Hikers must accept and judge for themselves the dangers posed by each trip they choose to undertake. By using this site you accept the risk and sole responsibility for your safety and the safety of those you affect. Please use all the available resources to you before participating and educate yourself about the environment, wilderness safety, and first aid.